Smithsonian Events - One Time

On Saturday, June 22, 2024, join us as we embark on a cosmic voyage to celebrate the rich heritage, creative expressions, and liberating joy of African American culture. Join us for activities, music, and more during our Solstice Saturday Celebration – Making Black Freedom!  

• Visit the museum until 10 p.m. (no passes required from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.) 
• Dine the Sweet Home Cafe opens at 11 a.m. featuring special items from our Juneteenth and Afrofuturism themed menus 
• Shop at the Museum Store until 10 p.m. (last entry at 9:30 p.m.) we encourage visitors to check out the remaining customized Afrofuturism products before they are gone! 

• Visit our exhibitions at night:  
  • LAST CALL! Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures investigates Afrofuturism’s impact on American culture and features over 100 objects from music, film, comic books, and more. 
  • NEW! Reclaiming My Time features work by contemporary Black designers that engage ideas about cultural heritage, bodies at rest, and histories of labor and leisure. 
  • HIGHLIGHT! Spirit in the Dark: Religion in Black Music, Activism and Popular Culture examines Black religious life through a selection of photographs from the Johnson Publishing Company, publisher of Ebony, Jet and Negro Digest. 
  • HIGHLIGHT! Musical Crossroads examines the intermingling of musical and cultural traditions, styles, and beliefs across all genres and styles and demonstrates how Black music provides a voice for liberty, justice and social change.  

• Attend featured programs and activities celebrating this month’s themes:  
  • Register to attend a one-on-one session with preservation specialists and receive a professional review of your family treasures and heirlooms.  
    •  District Treasures: Celebrating Black Music Month  
  • Featured Conversations 
    • 11 a.m.  – District Treasures: A Conversation with Mad Skillz with Timothy Anne Burnside and Mad Skillz 
    • 1 p.m. – The Importance of Black Music Month hosted by Naima Cochrane with Novena Carmel, Timothy Anne Burnside, NativeSun, and Steven Lewis
    • 2 p.m. – Reflecting on the NMAAHC Afrofuturism Exhibition with Kinshasha Holman Conwill and Kevin Strait 
  • Join us for an after hours dance party at the Afrofuturist Sound Stage 
    • 5 p.m. – NativeSun
    • 6 p.m. – Novena Carmel 
    • 7 p.m. – Ryan Celsius 
    • 8:30 p.m. – Special DJ performance by Flying Lotus